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Obstacles Faced in the Progress of Trade Union in India

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Obstacles Faced in the Progress of Trade Unionism in India!

The Indian trade unions unlike in the Western countries have not made a significant mark. They suffer from various drawbacks. For a proper growth of trade unions, certain conditions have to be met which is not the case with Indian industries. There are many obstacles, which hamper the development of the trade unions in India.

These may be categorized as internal and external, which are discussed as follows:

1. Internal Obstacles:

There are certain peculiar traits specific to Indian labor that hinders the growth of trade unions.

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Some of them are given below:

i. Majority of the Indian Labor is Illiterate:

In India, majority of the workers are illiterate. The illiteracy of labor hinders the growth and progress of the trade unions. Maintaining discipline becomes very difficult among the trade unions if the workers are not literate. They will not be fully conscious of their duties. The opposition groups can easily influence them and go on strikes and may indulge in subversion. They will not be in a position to understand the role and functions of the trade unions.

ii. Migratory Habit:

Most of the Indian labor comes from rural areas. Their families reside in villages due to which they do not stay permanently in cities. Whenever the workers get leaves or holidays, they prefer to spend time with their families and this is the reason why they are not able to participate in the discussions of the trade unions.

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Mast of the workers is under the impression that if they enroll themselves in the trade unions, they have to compulsorily attend, the meetings and discussions and they cannot go to their native places easily. Even though they become members they go to their homes during strikes and lockouts. Due to this, trade unionism in India cannot work properly.

iii. Heterogeneous Character:

In any industry workers come from different regions and different backgrounds. These workers possess a heterogeneous character. They differ in regard to language, religion, region, food, and dress habits. Due to such heterogeneity, building up a sense of unity among the workers is a difficult task. However, for the success of a trade union, unity is of utmost importance. Some workers even today practice untouchability. Thus, it is clear that the hetero­geneous character of the workers is blocking the development of the trade unions and their movements.

iv. Low Economic Standards:

The economic conditions of the labor in India are very poor. The average Indian worker’s wages are so low that it is very difficult to manage his own family expenses. Due to low wages, he is always under debt and in poverty. On account of poverty, he is not able to actively take part in the activi­ties of the trade union and due to low economic conditions he is unable to bear the strain of strikes and lockouts. Thus, these types of situations of the workers come in the way of the growth and development of the trade unions.

v. Mutual Strife:

There are many trade unions, which are functioning indepen­dently in India. Mostly, each of these trade unions is under the influence of a political party. Usually, the political parties try to manipulate the trade unions for achieving their own selfish ends. This tendency builds up strife and dis­sension among the trade unions and weakens them. Due to mutual dissension between the trade unions, an agitation is supported by some and opposed by others. Thus, mutual strife acts as a big impediment to the growth of trade union activities in India.

vi. Lack of Able Leadership:

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Most of the Indian workers are illiterate and ignorant and are not capable of taking up the leadership of the trade unions. In such a situation, the trade unions are led by reformers, lawyers, or politicians who are professional, well-qualified and wise. They are well informed about all the laws. However, they do not possess any first-hand knowledge about the problems of the labor. There are also instances whereby these people collude with the industrial­ists and get money from them, so that there would not be any protest from the workers against the industrialists.

vii. The Problem of Unemployment:

In India, the problem of unemployment is growing day by day. Once a person finds a job he is very much reluctant to leave it because finding an alternative employment has become very difficult. Most of the Indian workers are under the impression that, by joining the trade unions they are putting their jobs in danger. Due to such fear, the workers in India do not join the trade unions and participate in their activities.

2. External Obstacles:

Apart from internal obstacles, there are also certain external impediments, which constrain the growth of trade unionism in India. The more important external obsta­cles are concerned about the role of intermediaries, the industrial workers, the indus­trialists, the management boards, and labor and industrial laws. Without cooperation among various factors, no trade union movement can make progress.

Let us discuss these points in detail:

i. Non-cooperation of Intermediaries and Industrialists:

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The recruitment of labor in the industries is not direct but is in the hands of the intermediaries, who are mostly the agents of the industrialists. These intermediaries receive money from the industrialists. These are always opposed to the growth of trade unions because once trade unions become strong, the role and importance of these intermediaries will decline.

This is the reason why they conspire against the workers and pass on all information about the discussions of the workers to the industrialists. Thus, the non-cooperation and opposition of the intermediaries prove to be an obstacle for the growth of the trade unions.

The Indian industrialists consider the trade unions as their enemies. They opine that the growth of trade unions would reduce their importance. Therefore, they try to disrupt all the efforts, which try to strengthen the trade unions. They even try to bribe the leaders of the trade unions to achieve their own selfish ends.

ii. Lack of Legal Support:

The government laws and machinery are not providing enough legal support to the workers. There are no adequate provisions to safe­guard the interests and promote the welfare of the workers. During strikes there is not much protection to the workers by law. In such situations, the industrialists are taking the advantage of law, which impede the growth of trade unions.